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Uncommon Sense

Pithy sayings and brilliant observations

Tag: Lord Acton

John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton (1834-1902), First Baron Acton of Aldenham

Protection against the mob

By liberty, I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes his duty against the influence of authority and majorities, custom, and opinion.

Author Greg RavenPosted on April 18, 2022April 18, 2022Categories democracyTags Lord Acton

Liberty is the highest political end

Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is the highest political end.

Author Greg RavenPosted on April 5, 2021April 5, 2021Categories libertyTags Lord Acton

The best argument for small government

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern.

Author Greg RavenPosted on May 15, 2020Categories governmentTags Lord Acton

We have to work to preserve freedom

Freedom degenerates unless it has to struggle in its own defense.

Author Greg RavenPosted on August 7, 2018November 1, 2018Format QuoteCategories libertyTags Lord Acton

Secrecy

Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.

Author Greg RavenPosted on June 14, 2009November 1, 2018Format QuoteCategories knowledgeTags Lord Acton

Power corrupts

And remember, where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Author Greg RavenPosted on June 14, 2009November 1, 2018Format QuoteCategories decentralizationTags Lord Acton

“Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides.” — Thomas Paine

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